Sweetie – A “Sweet” Memory from my Wonderful Navy Days

“I don’t know where she has gone. The Dean wants to meet her and I just can’t find her anywhere...” the Colonel said.

“Don’t worry, Sir – I’ll find her and bring her to you...” I said.

The Colonel returned to the senior officers’ group.

I started walking down to the boat jetty.

This happened 32 years ago, in the mid 1980’s, in a lovely place called IAT nestled in the hills of Girinagar near the city of Pune.

It was one of those Sunday morning get-togethers for officers and families at the Naval Bay on the banks of Khadakwasla lake.

It was a verdant and picturesque place, with shady trees, lush green lawns and abundance of flora alongside the cool blue waters of the lake – an ideal setting for a picnic on a bright winter morning.

“Hey, you guys, have you seen the Colonel’s daughter...?” I asked some Sub Lieutenants – student officers – who were walking up from the boat jetty.

“The Colonel’s daughter...? Sir, I thought the D of S (Army) had two sons...” one of them said.

“No. No. Not the outgoing Colonel. I am talking of the newly arrived Colonel–Colonel “P”. He has a small daughter – she must be around 3 years old – her name is Sweetie – I had seen her playing on the lawns up there – and now she is not there – and the Colonel is worried...” I said.

“Is she a 3 year old girl, Sir...? I think she has gone for a boat ride. I saw Sub Lieutenant “X” getting into the boat with a small girl in his arms...” one of the officers said.

“Are you sure...?” I asked.

“Yes, Sir–I am quite sure...” he said.

Then, another officer said: “Sir –I will get the binoculars from the boat shed –then we can see clearly.”

I looked through the binoculars.

The boat was moving slowly across the Khadakwasla lake.

I could clearly see Sweetie.

Sweetie was sitting on the Sub Lieutenant’s lap – and he was holding her tight.

I walked up to the lawns and I reported to the Colonel: “Don’t worry, Sir – Sweetie is safe and sound.”

“But where is Sweetie...?” asked Colonel “P”, looking anxious.

“She is enjoying a boat ride...” I said.

“Sweetie has gone for a boat ride...? How is that possible...? Sweetie does not know how to swim. Sweetie is so scared of water. I wonder how she got into the boat...?” the Colonel asked.

“Sir – Sub Lieutenant “X” picked her up in her arms…” I said.

“What...? A Sub Lieutenant took Sweetie in his arms...?” the Colonel said, looking worried.

“Don’t worry, Sir – I myself checked up through the binoculars – Sweetie is sitting on the Sub Lieutenant’s lap – and – he is holding onto her tightly...” I said.

“What’s wrong with the Colonel...? Why is he so hyper...?” someone asked.

“Maybe – it is because Colonel “P” has just got one daughter – Sweetie is his only child. And that too – so late in life. He’s got a kid after the age of 40 – maybe that’s why he is so possessive and over protective...” I reasoned.

We sipped our beer.

A few moments later – we saw Commander “M” emerge from the woods with a ravishing beauty – yes – the woman was really beautiful.

I just could not take my eyes off the gorgeous lady.

The beautiful lady looked quite flushed – and – she smiled and said to us: “Hello, Navy Boys – you have got a lovely place here – your Commander just took me for an exciting trek on the banks of the lake...”

“Good morning, Ma’am...” we said.

“Oh – I forgot to introduce myself – or rather – your Commander forgot to introduce me...” she said, looking at Commander “M”.

The Commander looked embarrassed and he started to speak.

But before he could say anything – the beautiful woman looked at me.

The beautiful woman proffered her hand and she said to me: “My name is Sweetie...”

“Sweetie...?” I exclaimed, looking shocked and dumbfounded.

“Why...? You don’t like my name...? Can’t my name be Sweetie...? Am I not sweet...?” she joked, smiling flirtatiously.

“No, Ma’am. Yes, Ma’am…” I fumbled in embarrassment.

“Hey, please don’t call me Ma’am...” she said.

“Okay, Mrs “P”...” I said.

“Mrs “P”...? That’s even worse– I don’t like to be called Mrs “P” either – and – for heaven’s sake –please don’t call me“Mrs Colonel” like someone once did...” she laughed vivaciously.

Then Sweetie looked into my eyes and she said to me: “You are my age – so just call me Sweetie.”

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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About Me

A creative person with a zest for
life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated
at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School
Pune, Vikram has published two books:COCKTAILa collection of fiction short stories about relationships
(2011) andAPPETITE FOR A STROLLa
book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel, writing short fiction and compiling his memoirs. An avid
blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative
non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, books, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories, self help and art of living essays in magazines and journals and published a number of professional research papers and reviews and edited in-house magazines and journals for many years, before the advent
of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to
creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse -
his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative
thoughts.